Morrison Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 1 st Sunday after Christmas December 31, 2017 There are two great miracles in Christmas: the one that God has become man for us and for our salvation, and that he in grace reveals the first miracle even to me and blesses me with all its benefit. Because God speaks of communing together as an expression of unity in faith and warns us against the dangers of not understanding what communion is, we practice close communion. WELS members are welcome to commune with us. Visitors, please speak with the pastor before communing. If you would like to learn more about communing with us in the future, please contact pastor. The Common Service with Holy Communion (page 15 and following in CW) Opening Hymn: Hymn 42 Stand M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. CONFESSION OF SINS M: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Morrison Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Our mission is to Glorify God as we Gather around the Gospel to help people Grow in the Gospel and Go with the Gospel Welcome! We thank God that you have joined us at worship today. Restrooms are located in the basement. Hearing loop headphones and Large Print Hymnals are available from an usher. If your children need to leave worship, please take them to the basement. A TV broadcasts the service in the basement. Today we gather together in the presence of God. He is present among us in a special way through his Word and Sacrament. We humbly acknowledge our sin and rejoice in the good news of forgiveness through the life and death of Christ. This is the focus of our worship. 1

2 M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. PRAYER AND PRAISE M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord. Glory Be To God (sung) 2

3 Prayer of the Day M: The Lord be with you. M: Let us pray. Almighty God, in mercy you sent your one and only Son to take upon himself our human nature. By his gracious coming deliver us from the corruption of our sin and transform us into the likeness of his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Be Seated 3

4 THE WORD First Lesson: Isaiah 45:20-25 Already those who do not know the real miracle of Christmas are putting away its tinsel and other trappings. They have passed by the peasant couple and their Child. But to us the real miracle has been revealed. To us God has made known his salvation in this little Child of Bethlehem. In him and in none other God will accomplish our salvation and the redemption of the world. When those around us say, as they do every year, Well, I m glad that s over for another year! we will reply, Oh, no! For us it just keeps getting better; for he has revealed him as our salvation and our righteousness yes, yours too! 20 Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save. 21 Declare what is to be, present it let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. 22 Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. 24 They will say of me, In the LORD alone are deliverance and strength. All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. 25 But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the LORD and will make their boast in him.(niv) Psalm of the Day: Psalm 111 (p. 106 of CW) Second Lesson Colossians 3:12-17 The noise of the world s Christmas is passing away. The joy of our Christmas is just beginning. For God without any prompting from us or merit in us has chosen us to be the bearers of his Son in the world. Since he has chosen us to know the first miracle of Christmas, let us delight in the second one as well, in his choice of us to bear his Son before the world. As the world puts away its shallow Christmas niceness, let us put on Christ; let us be and be seen as heirs of salvation, eager to imitate this Child who now dwells in and with us. 4

5 12 Therefore, as God s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NIV) Verse of the Day M: Alleluia. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Alleluia. (Colossians 3:15a) Stand M: The Gospel according to Matthew 14 Gospel: Luke 2:25-40 Not everyone realized who had come to the temple that day. Most just passed by a peasant couple carrying a baby. But God for reasons of his own revealed himself to Simeon and Anna. They saw that the Child who had come to the temple was in fact The Temple, God s true and everlasting dwelling place with men. And so they sang, not of their own merit or even of their faith; they sang and rejoiced that God had sent salvation to his people and had made it known to them. God has sent us salvation and revealed himself to us in the Christmas gospel; in revealing himself he gives himself and all that he is and has for us and for our salvation. Oh rejoice and sing his praises! Had he revealed himself to everyone else, I could understand that; but he has revealed and given himself to me. That I will never understand; but I will receive him and sing his praises to all who will listen. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 5

6 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. 33 The child s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too. 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. (NIV) M: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 6

7 Be Seated Hymn of the Day: Hymn 41 Sermon Colossians 3:12-17 Continue You To Wear Your Christmas Clothes Stand Create in Me Be Seated Offering During the offering, please sign the friendship register in your pew. Thank you! Stand Prayer of the Church Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. Be Seated 7

8 Hymn: Hymn 43 Stand M: Almighty God, grant to your Church the Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes from above. Let nothing hinder your Word from being freely proclaimed to the joy and edifying of Christ s holy people, so that we may serve you in steadfast faith and confess your name as long as we live, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Benediction M: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. Be Seated Closing Hymn: Hymn 64 The Common Service 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A Questions/Comments about Zion? Contact: Pastor Randy Ott home: ; mobile: ; ottrr@mzluth.org Principal Rick Muchka mobile ; school , richard.muchka@mzls.org President Charles Edinger , candmedinger@icloud.com Elders: Howard Schultz School Board: Mike Feldkamp School Faculty: Hannah Holzhueter, Brenda Kuchenbecker, Katie Muchka, Tim Pingel, Rick Muchka Website: Synod : Custodians: Dick Tisler (church) Paig Alexander (school) Secretary: Nancy Pantzlaff Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service Appleton (WELS counseling) Kathleen Jasman Living Hope Counseling Ministries De Pere (WELS counseling) Dr. John Johnson, Director

9 News From Zion Mo rr is o n Z io n L u th e ra n Chu rc h w w w.m z lu th.o rg Commons Bible Study What does it mean to be a Lutheran Christian? Martin Luther sparked the Reformation when he nailed his protest to the door of the Castle Church in That protest had one goal: bring the church back to the foundation of the Bible. To be a Lutheran Christian means to base our teaching and practice on the Bible alone. Our new study, Reformation: Grace, Faith, Scripture, presents 12 important biblical principles that are still important to us and all Bible-believing Christians today. Join us as we explore these important and enduring truths. We meet Sundays at 9:15 a.m. New Year s Eve Worship will be Sunday, Dec. 31 at 7:00 p.m. Communion will be a part of our worship. Join us and bring a friend! Return To Grace DVD Two DVDs remain. The cost is $13. Pick one up and pay Pastor Ott when you can. Adult Christ Light Class will not meet Dec. 31. Sunday School No class Dec. 31. Broken Book Study No class Dec. 31. On Jan. 7 we will discuss chapter 6. Hand Bell update Our congregation is considering starting a hand bell choir. A set of bells has been offered to our congregation, however before we accept, we want to be sure there is enough interest in having it. To have a choir we need at least 12 dedicated people to join. Right now we have interest from 8 people. If you would like to be a part of hand bells or would like more information about them contact Bonnie Brandenburg at (920) or elroy.brandenburg@gmail.com. A final decision will be made by the middle of January. Please consider being a part of this new music opportunity in our church. Wednesday Class will meet this week. Confirmation for grades 5-8 begins at 5:00 p.m. Bible History for grades 1-4 begins at 5:30 p.m. Women s Home Bible Study meets each Thursday at 8:00 p.m. at the home of Michaela Hagenow.! If you have questions, contact Abbey Laabs. Festival of Epiphany Worship will be Saturday, Jan. 6 at 7:00 p.m. Join us for a special Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols. A candlelight processional will begin our service. Communion will be a part of worship. Join us for this special worship opportunity. Bring a friend! Reformation 500 Worship The fourth and final Reformation 500 special worship service will be next Sunday, Jan. 7. We will focus on Faith Alone. Join us and invite a friend! Soup For Souls The meals are free and have been re- Announcements P a s to r Rand y O tt (h o m e ) (m o b ile) o t t rr@m z luth.o rg (e m a il) stocked. You can find the meals at church and school in the freezers. The meals at school are in the freezer in the commons. Have a new neighbor? Take them a meal! Don t forget to pick up a free card to share Jesus with your meal! Food Pantry If you would like to give a tangible expression of thanks to the Lord, please consider a donation of food or cash to our Food Pantry. You can give ash donations to Linda Bruegge, Diane Suchomel, or Nancy Pantzlaff. Scrip Order Dates to order in person: Wednesday, Jan. 3 school 8:00-8:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 7 church between services Monday, Jan. 15 school 8:00-8:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 21 church between services Monday, Jan. 29 school 8:00-8:30 a.m. If you want to place an order outside these times you can either call or text Michelle at or drop your order off in the office.! Year End Giving Dec. 31 is the last day for offerings that will apply to Please consider how the Lord has been active in our ministry this past year and consider giving a special thank offering as the year comes to a close. Thank you! Thursday Worship will begin again on Thursday, Jan. 11. We worship at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Altar Committee If you would like to serve in 2018 please talk to Pastor Ott. We will have a meeting to schedule and review on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Please join us if you would like to learn more! Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up 12 False Christs is the title of the next book our Sunday night book Discussion Class will read. We will begin this book Jan. 28. This book aims to address the many incorrect versions of Jesus present in today's culture. Whether Jesus is seen as a patriot, a social justice warrior, a therapist, or a giver of bling, these many false christs diminish the real Christ - the Savior of the world who defies our culture's standards. The book costs $15. There is a sign up sheet in the basement of church. Sigh up today, even if you can t join us for the discussions on Sunday night. Thank You to everyone who gave us gifts, cards, and encouragement at Christmas this year! Your acts of Christian love are a reflection of the undeserved love that God has poured out on all of us! Thank you ad God bless and be with you in 2018! In Christian love, Randy and Paula Ott Volume 5 Issue 52 Dec. 31, 2017 First Sunday after Christmas Our Mission is to Glorify God as we Gather around the Gospel so that we Grow in the Gospel and Go with the Gospel

10 Page 2 Sunday 9:15 a.m. Commons Bible Study, school 7:00 p.m. New Year s Eve Worship, communion Tuesday 7:00 p.m. School Board Meeting Wednesday 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Class 5:30 p.m. Bible History Class grades 1-4, school Thursday 8:00 p.m. Women s Home Bible Study, Saturday 7:00 p.m. Epiphany Festival Worship, communion Weekly Calendar Sunday 8:00 a.m. Reformation 500#4 Worship 9:15 a.m. Commons Bible Study, school 9:15 a.m. Adult Christ Light Study 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Reformation 500#4 Worship 7:00 p.m. Broken Discussion, chapter 6 Our Stewardship of the Means of Grace Worship: 309 Communion: 199 Advent: 158 (107, 51) Bible Study: 28 (5, x, 23, x) Children s Program: 592 (184, 408) Christmas Festival: 235 Communion: 166 Candlelight Worship: 45 News From Zion New Outreach Movie WELS News Filming starts in January for the final movie in a series of four outreach movies that are a collaboration between WELS Commission on Evangelism, Northwestern Publishing House, WELS Multi-Language Publications, and Boettcher+Trinklein Television, Inc. Rev. Mike Hintz, director of WELS Evangelism, says that while the first three movies Road to Emmaus, Come Follow Me, and My Son, My Savior focused on the life and ministry of Jesus, the final movie will follow the apostle Paul and his work in Philippi. Our goal for this movie is to show in a dramatic way how the gospel is spread into the world following the command of Jesus and to show how it impacted people s lives, says Hintz. The title, To the Ends of the Earth, is taken directly from Jesus command to his disciples at his Ascension: You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The goal is to complete the movie by the end of summer 2018 in time for congregations to use the film and accompanying materials in the fall for a special mission emphasis Sunday. Hintz says the movie would not be possible except for funding help from Church Mutual Insurance Company Foundation; WELS Foundation s Shared Blessings donor advised fund; News From Our High Schools FVL Musicfest will be Jan. 28 at noon. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and events will run until 4:00 p.m. Musicfest is currently seeking items or basket donations for the Silent Auction. Find out more at fvl-musicfest/ or call Megan Beyer at Please bring all donations to the FVL School Office prior to Jan. 5. Photo Gallery for MLHS-see all the great photos of the MLHS students in action. Visit: today! Multi-Language Publications; and gifts from groups, congregations, and individuals. In the end, the movie is to help us see that this continues to be a wonderful privilege for us to continue this work of sharing the Word so that many more can come to faith, say Hintz. The other outreach movies Road to Emmaus, Come Follow Me, and My Son, My Savior have had more than a million viewers through TV, DVDs, and online media and have been translated into a dozen different languages. All three movies are still available from Northwestern Publishing House, nph.net. Right now there also is a limited time offer of free shipping on quantity orders of My Son, My Savior. Learn more at MySonMySavior.com Pastor Randy Ott ; ; ottrr@mzluth.org Principal Rick Muchka , richard.muchka@mzls.org President Charles Edinger , candmedinger@icloud.com Elders: Howard Schultz psalm1830ministries@gmail.com School Board: Mike Feldkamp Website: Synod : Secretary: Nancy Pantzlaff Church Custodian: Dick Tisler School Custodian: Paig Alexander Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service Appleton (WELS counseling) Kathleen Jasman Living Hope Counseling Ministries De Pere (WELS counseling) Dr. John Johnson Glorify Gather Grow Go